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Posted: 3/12/2007 11:23:13 AM EDT
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I recently bought a complete LMT lower for my first AR build. I am somewhat confused as to what to get for my complete upper. I have been reading these forums and it seems the mid lenght gas system is good. I mainly want a light 16" rifle for plinking at the range. I do want a solid foundation I can add to later. I don't know the difference between the A4 mid lenght upper and the M4. I am looking at buying a complete upper from either Legal Transfers or Kiser. If someone could please post pics of both these upper configurations and point out the differences I would really appreciate it. Unfortunatlly, I live in a small town and don't have the option to look at rifles in person. Thanks in advance! Joe B. |
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A4 upper has no carry handle or rear sight unless you pay extra for it and the mid length to me has a more comfortable handgaurd as it is a bit longer and not as bulky and the barrel dont have the M4 steps on it,M4 has shorter fatter handgaurd,barrel will be stepped like the military version for adding things like a grenade launcher and stuff,which you can also get as a flattop version.Go look at DPMS or Rock Rivers website and look at there uppers and you will see the difference in both uppers then make a choice and get it from legal transfers if you want RRA or Del-Tron if you want DPMS and a complete 16 inch upper should run about $450 shipped. Or even a Stag upper from Kiser. |
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If you want a light 16", I would get a lightweight upper. It is similar to the M4 profile in that it is light under the handguards, but it also stays thin out to the flash hider. My Del-Ton lightweight barrel measures .625 under the handguards and after the FSB. If I remember correctly, their is a slight increase in diameter before the FSB to hold the handguard endcap in place, then it drops bacfk down to .625". It really helps to reduce the weight, just don't stick a detachable carry handle. Find a lightweight rear sight, like one of the ARMS models or some other small BUIS. M4 isn't bad from what I understand, but lightweight will give you the lightest possible barrel. Get it chrome lined also for the extra $45. If you go with a midlength gas system, shop around for one that is light under the handguards; some dealers call this the government profile. Most midlengths are very heavy under the handguards, my Del-Ton is a full inch in diameter. CMMG makes one of the only midlengths that are light under the handguards, but they are pricey; good quality though. They have lightweight midlengths too, but they are in a 1/12 twist. Their 1/7 twist lw middy is only in a 14.5" with permanent flash hider. You shouldn't have any issues with an M4 or lw carbine gas system. I am upgrading my spring and buffer (h buffer) to aid in reliability. I don't know if I would have problems, but it seems good to do it after reading some posts. I think it is only costing me $40 from G & R Tactical. A true M4 should be 14.5" with the cut for the M203 shortly after the fsb. It should also have M4 feed ramps and the larger handguards. I think many dealers use plain carbine handguards instead. M4 feed ramps are not totally necessary. Also, most M4 style uppers are actually 16" to avoid the permanent flash hider. If you were to go with a 14.5" and a perm. fh, you could mount a bayonet on it. If you want to stick with LMT, Here is one from G&RTactical. It will be a little pricier, it doesn't come with the handguards or BCG. Check the EE for good deals on an upper. |
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I have a really good price on LMT uppers, but you have to search the EE for my listing... For a complete LMT upper, you are not likely to be able to get it under $500, but I can get you one for not too much over $500. I can get you into a chrome lined Rock River mid-length upper for just under $500. |
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Question:Anyone here ever ordered a complete upper or rifle and asked the mfg. to list the exact heads space? I just ordered a Bushmaster DCM complete upper and asked them to leave a tag or note along when it's shipped. SA does tag their M1A's when they leave the factory. The guy on the phone told me he had never heard of anyone asking for that before. |
I have had customers order a barrel chambered to a specific headspace, but I am making the barrel from a blank and have the ability to do that. Now, with production barrels, you are not going to be able to do that. Anyone with a full set of headspace gauges in 0.001" increments could measure your barrel and bolt combination and tell you what it is, but you are not likely to get bushmaster to do that for you. |
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